"I hit great shots one after another at the practice range, but when I get to the actual course, I fall apart like a completely different person..." "I started off well, but one out-of-bounds shot or mistake caused my score to plummet..."
Isn't this a problem that every amateur golfer has experienced at least once? "IGolf mentalBecause it's weak.Golf: Poor performance in actual competitionsAre you giving up, thinking, "That's just my type"?
The real reason why your scores are inconsistent isn't due to willpower or personality. It's because the mechanism of "desire" created by our "minds" unconsciously binds our bodies.
This time, we interviewed top professionals about the "psychological techniques to let go of desires and maximize performance" that they also practice.
Main theme
The real culprit behind ruining your score was "mental strain" caused by your brain.
Let me get straight to the point. The biggest reason for making mistakes in golf is not "lack of skill" or "physical tension," but"Tension in the head"It is located 。
Kimiaki Akino, Mental CoachAccording to him, "desire" in golf is "thinking (the workings of the mind)" itself. 。 Positive desires like "I want to hit it further" or "I want to get a birdie," as well as anxieties like "I don't want to hit it out of bounds" or "What if I make a mistake?" (the desire to avoid unpleasant things), all manifest as "words" in your mind. 。
When these thoughts increase, the brain becomes overloaded, resulting in strong tension in the body. 。 Professional golfer Takumi Kanaya also shared an experience where, in a crucial putt that would determine his tour card, he was so driven by the desire to "make it and go home quickly" that he missed a putt just 1 meter away. Even professionals,Golf psychologyThis can sometimes cause the body to become unable to move.
In other words,Consistent golf scoreThe key lies in how to release this "tension in the mind" and restore the body's natural movement.
To eliminate tension in the head
The new golf principle of "the Trinity": Connecting the mind, body, and ground.
So, how can we relieve "mental tension"? This is where the concept of **"Trinity"** proposed by Mr. Akano becomes important. 。
While general golf theory speaks of "mind, technique, and body," the following three connections (the three elements) are crucial from a mental perspective.
head (thinking)Body (sensitivity)Ground (source of energy)
Why is it bad if the "Trinity" breaks down?
When desires and anxieties become strong, our awareness becomes focused solely on our "head." Then,bodyor at your feetConnection with the groundThe connection will be cut off. When this "broken" state occurs, the following symptoms will appear:
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The transition in the swing becomes inconsistent.
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The tempo and rhythm suddenly become faster.
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The ball is hit by hand, and the contact becomes weaker.
Top player Hideki Matsuyama says he is always striving to connect his feelings and thoughts, finding a "trinity" of interconnectedness. When things are going badly, instead of trying to fix it with technology, it's important to restore this connection.Golf concentrationIt's a shortcut to improving.
Practical Part
You can start today! 3 mental training exercises to prevent yourself from faltering during the actual performance.
Even if you tell yourself to "relax," the tension won't actually go away. Let's reclaim the "Trinity" through concrete actions.
1. Feeling supported by the ground.
Before taking a shot, be mindful of the feeling that your feet are firmly planted on the ground. 。 Instead of "holding on," simply feeling "connected to the ground" is enough. If you feel like you're not playing well, try sharpening the sensation in the soles of your feet even when you're just practicing your swing. 。
2. Broaden your field of vision and relax your eyes.
Staring too intently at a single target can intensify your thoughts and stiffen your body. Try to take a broad, unhurried look at the sky, the surrounding scenery, and the entire green space. By receiving visual information "broadly and intuitively," you can relax your eyes and make your body movements more flexible. 。
3. Reset your thoughts with "magic words"
To reduce the unnecessary words (arguments and theories) in your head, it's effective to recite short phrases.(Mantra effect)
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"In a round shape" "Roll"This frees you from the linear thinking of "hitting." 。
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"thank you"When you have a grateful heart, self-centered desires subside, and the Trinity becomes more easily connected. 。
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"Focus on each shot (focus on being yourself)"I'm not focused on the score I've been aiming for, but rather on being true to myself in this moment. 。
【summary】
In golf, you can never completely eliminate desire. However, simply realizing that this desire is turning into "mental tension" can dramatically change your game. 。
What I want you to keep in mind in the next round isNot a "perfect shot," but a "three-in-one connection."That's right. When you make a bad shot, ask yourself, "Am I feeling the ground right now?" and "Is my field of vision too narrow?"
The "true confidence" that arises from a deep sense of security will become your most powerful weapon, unaffected by the outcome. 。
